Neurotech Reports Editors Select Winners of 2004 Gold Electrode Awards

Neurotech Reports, the publisher of this newsletter, has announced the recipients of the 2004 Gold Electrode Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations within the neurotechnology field based on their contribution to the growth and development of the industry.
Readers of Neurotech Business Report were given an opportunity to make nominations and the selections were made by the editorial staff of Neurotech Reports. The 2004 winners are:

Best New Product:
NeuroPace Inc.’s Responsive Neurostimulator System
The Mountain View, CA neurotechnology firm has attracted a significant amount of interest with its DBS device for treating epilepsy. We are particularly impressed by the device’s synergistic use of neurosensing and neurostimulation technologies.

Most Promising Start-Up:
Restorative Therapies Inc.
This Maryland start-up, based on the work of John McDonald, is one of the first commercial firms to target activity-based therapy and FES as a potential treatment for stroke, spinal cord injury, and other neurological diseases and disorders.

Most Valuable Non-Profit:
Parkinson’s Disease Foundation
The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation has taken great strides to promote and encourage the development of DBS treatments for Parkinson’s disease. In addition to funding research in this area, the organization was a sponsor of the NIH Neural Interfaces Workshop held in Bethesda, MD last year.

Most Useful Financial Professional:
Roger Quy, Technology Partners
While there were several larger venture capital firms, many of whom have contributed to the financing of neurotechnology start-ups, Roger Quy stands out for lending advice, encouragement, and his expertise to neurotech researchers and entrepreneurs, whether or not they’re part of his portfolio. Roger also serves as director of the Western Association of Venture Capitalists.

Neurotechnology Researcher of the Year:
John Donoghue, Brown University
Although there were a large number of researcher teams who made progress in brain-computer interfaces, John Donoghue’s work stands out for its culmination in a very promising commercial venture and a very encouraging human trial.

A presentation of the awards will be made at the 2005 Neurotech Leaders Forum.